Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s cause of death has been released by police.
The actor, who is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable in the hit TV sitcom “The Cosby Show,” died on Sunday off the coast of Costa Rica after a drowning, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News. He was 54.
Police told ABC News on Tuesday that an autopsy on Warner has been completed. The Forensic Pathology Department said that the autopsy confirmed that Warner’s death, which was described as asphyxiation by submersion, was accidental.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks during the 65th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on Feb. 5, 2023 in Los Angeles.
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Warner’s body arrived in San Joaquin de Flores on Monday at 4:30 p.m. local time. An autopsy was performed and completed on Tuesday.
Police told ABC News that Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, after getting caught by a rip current Sunday afternoon, police said. Bystanders rescued him and took him to shore, where he received treatment before being declared dead by the Costa Rican Red Cross, police said.
Warner was formally identified by Costa Rica’s national police, which described him as a tourist.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner speaks onstage during the 2023 Beloved Community Awards at Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Jan. 14, 2023, in Atlanta.
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Along with “The Cosby Show,” Warner was known for his many roles across television. He starred in “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Reed Between the Lines,” “Suits,” “The Resident” and more.
Following the news of his death, many across Hollywood paid tribute to Warner, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Angela Bassett, Niecy Nash and Danny Tamberelli.
